Latest net sales and net asset figures from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) shows that mutual fund net sales pulled back slightly in May 2021, relative to April 2021 sales figures while exchange-traded fund (ETF) sales surged ahead during the month. Year-to-date sales figures for funds and ETFs alike also surged ahead relative to 2020 numbers, and net asset figures were higher for both funds at ETFS at the end of May 2021.

Mutual fund assets totaled $1.896-trillion at the end of May 2021, up from $1.883-trillion at the end of April 2021, and up considerably from the $1.577-trillion reported at the end of May 2020. Net sales were $8.386-billion, down slightly from $9.049-billion reported in April, but up dramatically relative to May 2020 when net sales were just $2.649-billion. Year-to-date, mutual fund net sales surged ahead to $59.343-billion, up from just $3.939-billion year-to-date reported at the end of May 2020. Balanced funds were the most popular during the month, selling $4.243-billion in May 2021.

ETF net sales, meanwhile, reached $7.596-billion in May 2021, up from $5.533 in April 2021 and up from $2.627-billion in May 2020. Year-to-date ETF sales reached $27.611-billion by the end of May, up from $18.508-billion year-to-date sales figures reported at the end of May 2020. Equity ETFs were most popular during the month of May, selling $3.797-billion. Total ETF assets reached $297.4-billion in May 2021, up from $288-billion in April, and up from $211.4-billion reported at the end of May 2020.